News

November 16, 2015

McKinley, in partnership with the Ann Arbor Public Schools Foundation, is pleased to announce the conclusion of the successful campaign to raise $350,000 to support STEAM education in Ann Arbor’s seven middle schools. The campaign was publicly announced in March 2015 and the program is now launching in all seven middle schools. The curriculum was designed by STEAM provider, Project Lead the Way. The provider is a nonprofit that creates innovative hands-on curriculum so that students may master high level science, technology, engineering, and math. The curriculum’s methodology provides the rigor and relevance endorsed by the Michigan Department of Education and is already in place at Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside, Skyline High School, Pioneer High School, and Huron High School.

“We are thrilled to support this investment in STEAM education to ensure that all of the middle school students in the Ann Arbor Public Schools have access to the latest tools and teaching for 21st century skills” stated Ken Polsinelli, Chief Real Estate Officer.

“We are grateful that McKinley made a lead gift, and that they along with Google and other local businesses enable us to promote innovation in our schools. We are thankful to the greater community, corporate and individuals, for helping us finalize this campaign so that 3,700 middle school students will be able to access STEAM classes,” said Linh Song, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation.

“McKinley as a company was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and is fiercely committed to its Ann Arbor roots. We are proud to help foster the continued growth of our families in our community, and personally, as someone who went to engineering school, this initiative is very important to me. This private public partnership between the Foundation and the business community highlights the impact that we can make when we work together.” said Albert M. Berriz, Chief Executive Officer. “Access to opportunity is a core fundamental value at McKinley, and we are excited that this program will create more opportunities for families and students,” added Berriz.